may incidentally be

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "may incidentally be" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something might occur as a secondary or unintentional result of another action or situation. Example: "The changes in policy may incidentally be beneficial for employee morale, even if that was not the primary goal."

✓ Grammatically correct

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Capello may, incidentally, be cheered by another surprise statistic.

Independent

It can wait for Mr Kony, who may incidentally be running out of hiding places.His fellow Acholis hate him.

The Economist

This is a strength of Daniel Clowes's, and also of 30-year-old Adrian Tomine, who may, incidentally, be the best prose writer of the bunch.

The New York Times - Magazine

You may, incidentally, be seeing a "related video" widget next to this very post (or below it, if you're on a smartphone).

TechCrunch

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

Journals with low levels of non-citation of articles may, incidentally, also be those which attract the most citations.

BMC Medical Research Methodology

These hotels, incidentally, are prospering.

The New York Times

And who, incidentally, is "they"?

The Economist

(This, incidentally, was nothing new).

Independent

"A.T.W.T.," incidentally, may be the soap most associated with the news.

The New York Times

The people who drive these various contraptions (a 19,000-ton coal train, incidentally, may be the largest moving object on dry land) love their work.

The New York Times - Books

This doesn't just mean guaranteeing a supply of first-class teachers and high-quality early years education – which, incidentally, may be very different from simply offering more hours of childcare.

The Guardian

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "may incidentally be" when you want to indicate that something is a possible but not necessarily intended consequence of something else. It softens the assertion and suggests a degree of uncertainty.

Common error

While grammatically correct, "may incidentally be" can sometimes sound verbose. In more formal contexts, consider stronger, more direct phrasing to avoid ambiguity and improve conciseness.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "may incidentally be" functions as a modal expression indicating possibility coupled with an adverbial modifier expressing that something occurs as a secondary or unintentional consequence. Ludwig AI confirms the grammatical correctness and usability of the phrase.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

News & Media

40%

Science

40%

Formal & Business

20%

Less common in

Wiki

0%

Encyclopedias

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "may incidentally be" is a grammatically sound phrase used to express a potential, secondary, or unintentional outcome. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability. It appears across various contexts, including news, science and formal settings. When using the phrase, consider whether a more direct and concise phrasing might be more appropriate, especially in formal writing. Alternatives like ""might unintentionally be"" or "could inadvertently be" can provide similar meanings with slightly different emphasis. Remember to use it when highlighting possible side effects or unplanned consequences, softening assertions, and maintaining a degree of uncertainty.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

might unintentionally be

Emphasizes the lack of intention behind the action or state.

could inadvertently be

Highlights the accidental nature of the occurrence.

might circumstantially be

Indicates that the occurrence is dependent on specific circumstances.

may unintentionally occur as

Focuses on the occurrence being a byproduct rather than a direct aim.

could secondarily result in

Stresses the secondary nature of the consequence.

might coincidentally exist as

Highlights the coincidental existence of the state or condition.

may unexpectedly turn out to be

Emphasizes the surprise element in the outcome.

could emerge as a side effect

Clearly states the occurrence is a side effect.

might be a chance outcome

Highlights the role of chance in the result.

may fortuitously become

Suggests that the consequence is lucky or beneficial.

FAQs

What does "may incidentally be" mean?

The phrase "may incidentally be" indicates that something could occur as a secondary or unintentional result of another action or situation. It suggests a possibility rather than a certainty.

How can I use "may incidentally be" in a sentence?

You can use "may incidentally be" to describe potential side effects or unplanned outcomes. For example: "The new policy changes "might unintentionally be" beneficial for employee morale."

Which is correct, "may incidentally be" or "is incidentally"?

"May incidentally be" suggests a possibility, while "is incidentally" states something as a fact. The choice depends on the context and your intended meaning.

What are some alternatives to "may incidentally be"?

Alternatives include phrases such as ""might unintentionally be"", "could inadvertently be", or "may also be", depending on the specific nuance you want to convey.